This past week, Fox News Channel ranked No. 1 in total day viewers, and No. 2 in total prime time viewers, behind ESPN, which broadcast the Clemson-Alabama National Championship last week, among other events. FNC grew +27 percent in prime time viewers and +29 percent in total day viewers from the comparable week in 2016 (week of Jan. 11).
Per Nielsen data, FNC earned 12 of the top 25 most-watched programs, including various broadcasts of Happening Now, Outnumbered, The Five, Special Report with Bret Baier, Tucker Carlson Tonight and Hannity.
Carlson’s debut week in the 9 p.m. slot saw a double digits improvement from the 2016 average in the 9 p.m. ET hour, +10 percent in total viewers and +12 percent in the A25-54 demo. Compared to the same week last year, Carlson posted +21 percent year-over-year growth in total viewers and +52 percent in the demo.
CNN ranked No. 7 in total prime time viewers (+62 percent year-over-year) and No. 8 in total day viewers (+44 percent) this past week. The network edged MSNBC by an average of only 4,000 viewers in prime time.
MSNBC ranked No. 8 in total prime time viewers (+56 percent) and No. 10 in total day viewers (+56 percent) this past week.
HLN ranked No. 45 in total prime time viewers (-12 percent) and No. 33 in total day viewers (-7 percent) this past week.
CNBC ranked No. 48 in total prime time viewers (-31 percent) and No. 60 in total day viewers (-19 percent) this past week.
Fox Business ranked No. 79 in total prime time viewers and No. 61 in total day viewers. The network experienced a double digits year-over-year viewership decline, not a huge surprise considering FBN hosted its first ever Republican presidential primary debate this week in 2016.
Top 5 – Primetime (P2+)
- ESPN (4,094,000)
- FNC (2,555,000)
- HGTV (1,618,000)
- USA (1,587,000)
- TBS (1,583,000)
Top 5 – Total Day (P2+)
- FNC (1,603,000)
- ESPN (1,327,000)
- NICK (1,221,000)
- HGTV (931,000)
- Investigation Discovery (856,000)